The Maine Judicial Supreme Court scuttled a $100 million wind project planned for Penobscot County, with 16 wind turbines generating 48 megawatts of electricity, because it was found to impinge on scenic views from nine nearby lakes. Around the same time, Portland, Maine voters decisively rejected a controversial ordinance meant to protect scenic views of Casco Bay threatened by intruding building developments.

What do these decisions have in common?Both involved projects with significant economic development potential for local communities. Both involved well-funded campaigns that brought often-adversarial groups together to support or defeat development initiatives. And both were based on wildly divergent – and often subjective – assessments of impacts on scenic views.

This forum takes a look at state and local policies, practices, and methodologies to evaluate the visual impacts associated with wind, road, building, and other types of development projects. Public acceptance and confidence in development policies are likely to be enhanced when there is clear guidance for developers, planners, and regulatory decision makers as well as protection of important scenic and cultural resources. But, policies vary widely based on jurisdiction (e.g., state v. local), regulatory framework, size of projects, economics, and other considerations.